Increasing the usability of the MICADO observation preparation tool through a hybrid user interface

MICADO, the near-infrared Multi-AO Imaging Camera for Deep Observations and ELT first light instrument, requires an instrument-specific observation preparation tool whose main task is the optimal AO guide star selection in combination with a compliant offset/dither pattern definition. In addition to the usual sky viewer and control GUI, this tool shall also be scriptable through an embedded Python interpreter which helps to facilitate repetitive preparation tasks, allows for automatic evaluation of potential observation targets, and enables the user to replace particular built-in functionality. We present our prototype implementation and show how a hybrid interface improves the usability for the observer.